Crochet workshop: Fingerless mittens

Make these fashionably stylish and practical fingerless mittens which are worked in a decorative crochet stitch in cosy baby alpaca yarn. Designed by Erika Knight and published in her latest book Crochet Workshop (see bottom of article for book details and giveaway), the skill level is Intermediate and the mittens are one size, to fit an average-size woman’s hand. The finished length is 38cm.

Click to enlarge

In this project you will learnPractising half treble crochet
Working a horizontal thumb hole
Working pattern repeats

Tension8 bobbles and 11 rows to 10cm measured over zigzag lozenge stitch using a 4mm hook.

Abbreviations1 bobble = [yrh and insert hook in 1-ch sp, yrh and draw a loop through, yrh and draw through first 2 loops on hook] 3 times all in same 1-ch sp, yrh and draw a loop through all 4 loops on hook.1 half bobble = [yrh and insert hook in 1-ch sp, yrh and draw a loop through, yrh and draw through first 2 loops on hook] twice all in same 1-ch sp, yrh and draw a loop through all 3 loops on hook.yrh = yarn round hook

TO MAKE THE MITTENS

Foundation chain Using a 4mm hook, make 37 chain loosely.
Work a border of 2 rows of half treble crochet as follows:

Row 1 1 htr in 3rd ch from hook, 1 htr in each of remaining ch to end, turn.

Row 2 2 ch (counts as first htr), miss first htr, *1 htr in next htr; rep from * to end, then work last htr in top of 2-ch at end, turn. 36 sts.Continue in zigzag lozenge stitch as follows:

Patt row 2 (RS) 3 ch, 1 tr in first htr (counts as a half bobble), *1 ch, 1 bobble in next 1-ch sp; rep from * to end, 1 ch, 1 half bobble in top of 2-ch at end of row, turn. 16 bobbles and 2 half bobbles.

Patt row 3 2 ch (counts as first htr), *work [1 htr, 1 ch, 1 htr] all in next 1-ch sp; rep from * to end, 1 htr in top of 3-ch at end of row, turn.

Patt row 4 3 ch (counts as first tr), *1 bobble in next 1-ch sp, 1 ch; rep from * to last 1-ch sp, 1 bobble in last sp, 1 tr in top of 2-ch at end of row, turn. 17 bobbles.

Patt row 5 2 ch (counts as first htr), 1 htr in first tr, *work [1 htr, 1 ch, 1 htr] all in next 1-ch sp; rep from * to end, 2 htr in top of 3-ch at end of row, turn.

[Repeat patt rows 2–5] 4 times more.

Change to a 3.5mm hook and [repeat patt rows 2–5] 3 times more, so ending with a WS row.

Mitten should now measure approximately 32cm from beginning.

Work thumb hole

Next row (RS) 3 ch, 1 tr in first htr, *1 ch, 1 bobble in next 1-ch sp; rep from * 6 times more; 6 ch, miss next 2 1-ch sps, 1 bobble in next ch sp, **1 ch, 1 bobble in next ch sp; rep from ** to end, 1 ch, 1 half bobble in top of 2-ch at end of row, turn.

Next row 2 ch, *work [1 htr, 1 ch, 1 htr] all in next 1-ch sp; rep from * 6 times more; [1 htr, 1 ch, 1 htr] twice in 6-ch sp, **work [1 htr, 1 ch, 1 htr] all in next 1-ch sp; rep from ** to end, 1 htr in top of 3-ch at end of row, turn.

Next row Rep patt row 4. 16 bobbles.

Next row Rep patt row 5.

Next row Rep patt row 2. 15 bobbles and 2 half bobbles.

Next row Rep patt row 3. Fasten off.

Work second mitten in exactly the same way.

To finish

Weave in any loose ends. Gently steam on wrong side. Sew side seams.

Masterclass

Working a horizontal thumb hole or buttonhole

The simplest way to work an opening, whether it is for a thumb hole or buttonhole, is to miss a number of stitches in a row. At the position at which the hole is required, work a number of chain stitches that will accommodate the thumb or the diameter of the button (for these mittens, work 6 chain).
Miss the number of stitches for which you have worked chain, then continue in the pattern. On the next row, work over the chain, making the same number of stitches as there are chain.

Crochet Workshop by Erika Knight is the perfect book for the beginner. Learn how to crochet exquisite accessories and homewares with step-by-step instructions, diagrams and gorgeous photos. There are 20 beautiful projects in this book, from cushions and throws to slippers, purses and laptop covers. Each project teaches the reader a new stitch, technique or trick, and builds on and consolidates crochet techniques already learnt in the preceding projects. The end result is 20 beautiful crafts and a wide repertoire of master crochet skills under your belt.

I wind my embroidery floss/cotton around miniature wooden craft pegs (the peg heads are great for holding the loose end of cotton – just slide the cotton in between), and my lace and ribbon around wooden dolly pegs

I have recently learned to crochet & will confess to be addicted to this craft. Hope to complete blanket soon & my next project could well be these adorable mittens. Thanks for the pattern which i will try.

Hint:
Have a simple & small project always handy for those times when you want something to do, but you don’t want to have to concentrate – eg a facecloth/dish cloth – something that you can never have too many of.
Ideal for travelling/waiting rooms etc. Small things that you only need your hook and a ball of yarn for = productive therapy while you wait

Having just decided to branch out from knitting and try my hand at crocheting, this book would be fantastic! And as for my storage solutions, I’m afraid mine involves shoving everything into a bag… not so inspirational I’m afraid!!

I love those mitts, they look delicate but warm at the same time – look forward to making some! I store my buttons sorted by colour in a small set of plastic drawers, and my yarn in those opaque 15 litre plastic stackable boxes, also sorted by colour. I’ve been keeping individual crochet and sock knitting projects in their own bags, great for portability. Fabric, unfortunately, is not very well organised at all, and just gets stuffed into a big plastic crate!

Those gloves are so pretty – it’s time I made some more as my previous pair is wearing out. As for storage tips, I wish I had some good ones but unfortunately I just have too much stuff and a whole lot of overflowing boxes and containers! I wish the cleaning fairies would come and sort out my craft room for me.

Love that next generation being taught the old crafts like knitting and crochet. My mother taught all my children, boys and girl, when on holidays with her and they can still do them although now in their fifties. One child was left handed but she rose to the challenge and he was very proficient in the end. Will look forward to more patterns etc

Anyone who has seen my studio knows it’s more like a shop than a stash… but do I have Rowan Baby Alpaca DK? No. But Alpaca I have – I could spin it up to crochet these lovely mittens. They look yummy and crochet is always faster than knitting! I like to have my fibre and yarns visible, so apart from yarns/fibre I keep specifically for over-dyeing or felting, the rest is on shelves, with dowels across (so they don’t tumble out). I keep perfumed soap in cotton sachet’s to keep the moths away. Happy crafting everyone!

What lovely mittens! A while ago a friend of mine was throwing out all her large glass containers that she used to store flour, rice, cereal, etc in her pantry. Those ones with the rubber ring seal and clip top. I washed them all out thoroughly and now they serve as storage for my haberdashery stash – buttons, zips, lace, cords, cottons, embroidery threads. They are brilliant because you can see everything at a glance.

This book would be great. I am trying to teach myself to crochet but I’m struggling – there is only so much help ones mother can give over the phone!
At Christmas time Dilmah very giving away tins with their tea bags in them and I now use one of these for my sewing ‘bits and pieces’ and love it.

I’m loving the crochet and knitting crafts, they have got my creative juices flowing again! As for storing sewing accessories, I use those clear clip-seal bags because they are great for seeing what’s inside at a glance. I store things like buttons, bits of lace or elastic rolled up and thread.

I just started the mittens the pattern it’s so pretty. And easy to follow. But i changed the yarn to encore dk. I am getting concerned that they seem big. I changed the hook size to. 3.50 mm and 3.25 mm. Can you tell me what the repeat

Thank you soooooo very much to the guys at Sweet Living for publishing the mittens from Crochet Workshop!! AND HUGEST thanks to everyone for the fabulous comments posted here!! These are really the simplest mitts to make…………………………x